Otis and the Kittens

Written by Loren Long

Narrated by Chris Sorensen

The #1 bestselling creator of "Otis "and "Little Tree" presents an homage to firefighters everywhere and to the many boys and girls who dream big of being heroes! On the farm where Otis the tractor lives, it hasn't rained in a long time and farmers all over the valley have grown anxious with water in such short supply. One hot afternoon, when Otis and his friends are resting beneath the shade of the apple tree, Otis spots something moving down in the valley: an orange tabby cat headed straight for the old barn. But then Otis sees something else that causes his engine to sputter . . . a swirl of smoke coming from the same barn. A fire! As Otis races toward the fire with his friends in tow, he spots the tabby cat mewing in alarm. Otis rushes inside to discover the source of the cat's worries--her little kittens are perched up on the hayloft, scared. Otis never hesitates. Yet even after he delivers a tractor full of kittens safely outside, their mama remains upset. Re-entering the burning barn, Otis discovers why: one tiny kitten, still too scared to move. With a friendly "chuff," Otis coaxes her down and she scampers out the door. That's when the floor collapses with a CRASH, trapping the tractor. Now Otis, the friend everyone can count on, must count on his friends. Told with a sense of play and devotion, this is a heartwarming tale that reminds readers that sometimes even those who we count on to help us need a little help themselves. From the creator of "Otis," "Otis and the Puppy," and the illustrator of "The Little Engine That Could" and "Of Thee I Sing" by President Barack Obama.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490633220

Loren Long

Loren Long is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Otis picture book series, now an animated television series on Apple+. He’s also the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama, Love by Matt de la Peña, and Change Sings by Presidential Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman. He lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and rescue dog, Charlie.

Reviews for Otis and the Kittens

[librarianryan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a happy but also a sad Otis. The barn catches fire and little kittens are stuck inside. After Otis rescues them, he gets stuck in the burning barn. It will take everyone to get him out. I think why this makes me sad is because it reminds me of my grandma's barn burning down and no one being able to help. It’s a great book, but not one for me.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Otis the tractor and his farmyard friends return in this sixth and thus far latest picture-book devoted to their adventures. Resting under the shade of a tree one hot, dry day, Otis is surprised to see a cat down in the cornfields, running toward the barn. Then he sees smoke coming from the barn, and realizes that there is a fire. Following the cat into the inferno, he saves her trapped kittens, only to become trapped himself. Can the animals, together with Fire Chief Douglas' help, get him out in time...?Like its predecessors, Otis and the Kittens pairs an engaging, heartwarming tale with appealing artwork done in gouache and pencil. Otis is a winsome little hero, always trying to make the animals happy, always ready to step in when they need help, so it's satisfying to see the tables turned in this installment of author/illustrator Loren Long's series, being the recipient of help instead. The illustrations in this one are particularly cute - it probably helps that I love cats! - and add to the reader's enjoyment. Recommended to Otis fans, and to anyone looking for picture-books featuring fires and firefighters.